Singer Hunter
| Industry | Automotive |
|---|---|
| Defunct | 1956 |
| Fate | Acquired by Rootes Securities |
| Products | SM1500, Hunter, Hunter S, Hunter 75, Singer Gazelle |
| Parent | Rootes Securities (from 1956) |
The Singer SM1500 was a small family car manufactured by Singer Motors between 1948 and 1956. As the first model introduced by Singer following World War II, it was designed to succeed the Super Ten and Super Twelve vehicles.
In 1952, the SM1500 underwent a minor update, followed by the addition of a classic Singer-style radiator grille in 1954. This refreshed variant, called the Singer Hunter, continued production until shortly after the company was acquired by Rootes Securities in early 1956. The robust engine from the Singer was also briefly installed in a modified version of the Hillman Minx, marketed as the Singer Gazelle.
Design and development
The initial prototype and an overview of the new model were revealed in November 1947, with an early production example showcased at the Earls Court Motor Show in October 1948. Demonstrator units were dispatched abroad around Christmas 1948, and manufacturing commenced just before July 1949, with exports beginning soon after.
During the shareholders' meeting in December 1950, the chairman highlighted that Singer had not produced any vehicles from March 1940 until after the conclusion of WWII, which led to the SM1500 being constructed using technology that was already considered outdated by that time.
SM1500
The SM1500 featured a pressed-steel body mounted on a separate chassis, equipped with an independent front suspension system based on Packard's coil spring design, produced under licence. It utilized hydraulically operated Lockheed drum brakes. The four-speed gearbox, operated via a column shifter, drew criticism due to difficulties in selecting second and reverse gears.
Distinctively among British mass-produced saloon cars, the SM1500 employed an overhead camshaft engine derived from the Super 12 but with an increased bore and shortened stroke—initially displacing 1506 cc before being reduced to 1497 cc to comply with sub-1500 cc classification. Starting in 1952, a twin-carburettor option became available for an extra £28. The engine block was notably resilient, with reboring recommended only after approximately 65,000 miles.
The vehicle's styling was crafted by Singer’s chief engineer Leo Shorter, drawing inspiration from Howard Darrin’s 1946 Kaiser-Frazer. However, it lacked aesthetic appeal and was often regarded as unattractive. Inside, features included a front bench seat with a fold-down armrest, optional leather upholstery, and wood-grain metal trim. By 1952, heating and demisting systems were standard equipment.
While offering ample interior space, solid stability, robust construction, and dependable performance, the SM1500 was hindered by heavy controls that proved challenging for many drivers—particularly women—and its steering column gear change mechanism was problematic. Initially well-received—finding use among certain police departments and regional taxi services—it gradually lost favor due to its outdated full-width body design and relatively high price point.
Face-lift
In 1952, the vehicle underwent a redesign that included a modified grille and elevated headlamps. Leather seating was available as an optional upgrade for just below £39 in the UK market, while the standard interior featured Vynide, a synthetic plastic material.
A twin-carburettor variant evaluated by The Motor magazine in 1952 reached a maximum speed of , accelerated from 0- in 23.5 seconds, and recorded fuel consumption of . The tested model was priced at £1168 including taxes. Meanwhile, a single-carburettor version reviewed by Autocar attained a top speed of , completed 0- in 27.9 seconds, and demonstrated efficient fuel usage.
An Australian-market coupé utility version was developed and promoted as being "specifically engineered for Australian conditions."
Overall, 17,382 units of the SM1500 were produced.
Singer Hunter
In September 1954, the model was renamed the Singer Hunter, featuring a classic radiator grille and a bonnet made from fibreglass. Standard fittings included twin horns and windshield washers, complemented by a horse-head ornament on the radiator. Production totaled 4,772 Hunters.
A motoring correspondent for The Times in June 1955 observed that the Hunter appealed to drivers prepared to invest in superior finish and more comprehensive equipment than typically found in its segment. The car sported an entirely flat windscreen—which reduced replacement costs—but visibility was somewhat hindered due to thick pillars and door frames. It maintained a comfortable cruising speed of 67 mph with strong acceleration in top gear and a quiet engine beneath its plastic bonnet. The steering column-mounted gear lever was noted as somewhat stiff, although a conventional floor-mounted lever option was also available.
Its most notable attribute was its exceptionally smooth suspension system, delivering ride comfort superior to many rivals.
Hunter S and Hunter 75
At the Earls Court Motor Show in October 1955, Singer unveiled two new variants: the more basic Hunter S and the higher-performance Hunter 75, which featured a twin overhead camshaft engine equipped with an HRG-designed cylinder head. Production numbers for the Hunter 75 were limited, with estimates suggesting only around 20 units made before the model line was discontinued. The Singer Gazelle debuted in September 1956; however, the Hunter continued to be sold alongside it.
The Hunter name resurfaced in 1966 when Rootes applied it to their Rootes Arrow series under the Hillman Hunter badge.
In popular culture
A Singer Hunter is featured in Cy Roth’s film Fire Maidens from Outer Space, which some critics have labeled among the worst films ever produced.